Credit Cards with Low Interest Rates

As much as we’d love to pay all of our credit card balances in full, sometimes that’s just not possible. If you plan to carry a balance on your credit card for any reason, it is in your best interest to have at least one low interest credit card to use for that purpose. With a low interest credit card, you can often save hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in interest payments over the course of several months or years.

Most credit cards charge an Annual Percentage Rate, or APR, that falls somewhere between 3.9% and 24.99%. Since months aren’t all the same length, most banks break the APR down into a Daily Periodic Rate (DPR) – a percentage of interest that is charged on your balance daily. To find out your card’s DPR, simply divide your APR by 365 or 360.

Here’s where things get interesting. Although interest rates are generally portrayed as fees charged on an annual basis, cards that operate using the DPR actually tack on interest daily. Even worse, the interest that is tacked on daily compounds and builds upon itself – leading to more debt and more bills over time.

Of course, the higher the interest rate, the worse it gets. And unfortunately, average interest rates aren’t always that attractive to begin with. According to BankRate.com, the average APR charged by fixed rate credit cards sat at 13.02% as of June 2015. For variable rate cards, the average was 15.89%. While those percentages aren’t necessarily considered high, they aren’t considered low either. That’s why it’s important to shop around and find a card that truly offers affordable rates. In some cases, you can’t afford not to.

Featured Low Interest Credit Cards

Simmons First Visa® Platinum – If you thought the PenFed Promise Visa Card was boring, then allow me to introduce you to the Simmons First Visa® Platinum. This card offers cardholders a very very low 7.25% APR. The Simmons First Visa® Platinum does not have a rewards program or introductory offer so it’s best and only feature is the low APR. Last but not least, this card carries no annual fee.

How Low Interest Credit Cards Work

Although low interest credit cards work similarly to almost all unsecured credit cards on the market, some distinct features set them apart. Here are some common attributes that low interest credit cards tend to have:

Some low interest cards also offer generous balance transfer offers – Several low interest credit cards on the market offer attractive terms to individuals who hope to transfer a balance to save money. In some cases, the balance transfer APR can even be as low as 0% for up to 16 months.

Most low interest cards don’t charge an annual fee – Since most low interest cards offer fewer benefits than rewards cards, they don’t usually charge an annual fee. If you aren’t all that interested in rewards and just want to save money, choosing a card that doesn’t charge an annual fee might be a smart move.

Some low interest cards offer 0% APR on purchases for a limited time – Along with generous terms for balance transfers, some low interest credit cards offer 0% APR on purchases for a limited time, usually between 6 and 18 months.

You may need good or average credit to qualify – Since low interest credit cards charge a lower APR than many competing cards, they are less likely to accept customers who pose a high rate of risk. In other words, you may need average or good or at least good credit to qualify for a low interest credit card.

How to Select a Low Interest Credit Card

Choosing a card that charges a low APR is a no brainer, but that doesn’t mean your final card choice will be obvious. Today’s market is saturated with cards that offer all kinds of perks to consider in addition to a low APR. The following tips can help you choose the best card for your situation:

Know your credit score – If you have good or excellent credit, you should have no problem qualifying for a low interest credit card. On the other hand, bad or fair credit might hold you back from getting the exact card you want. That’s why it’s important to find out your credit score ahead of time. If you want to get your credit score for free, you can do so by signing up for a free account at CreditKarma.com or CreditSesame.com.

Compare other perks – Although low interest cards may not have stellar rewards programs, some still offer special perks or incentives. Perks to look out for and compare can include a free FICO score on your statement, cash-back, no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation insurance, and more.

Steer clear of annual fees – When you’re looking for a low interest credit card, that generally means you plan to carry a balance. When that’s the case, you should think long and hard before paying an annual fee. Remember, the annual fee needs to be paid on top of the interest you’ll accrue daily. If you have your eye on a card with an annual fee for any reason, you should always do the math to make sure the perks or rewards are worth it.

Consider your long-term goals – Before you get a low interest credit card, ask yourself what your goals are. If you hope to transfer a balance and save money, for example, you should look for cards that can assist you. Meanwhile, if you want a card you can keep for a long time to build your credit history, you should probably choose one that doesn’t charge an annual fee. Whether you’re deciding on a specific card or course of action, it always helps to define your goals and make sure your actions make sense.

A low interest credit card can be a valuable tool if used to make large purchases that you hope to pay back over time. By taking advantage of the low interest rates they offer, you can create an affordable payment plan and save money on interest – all in one fell swoop.

With that being said, it’s important to find the best low interest card for your needs. With so many cards on the market, sometimes that’s the hardest part. As always, make sure your decision is an informed one.

Advertising Disclosure: This page contains advertisements. This page does not include all available credit card offers from all advertisers (that would be literally hundreds, if not thousands of credit cards). This credit card review was not reviewed by, endorsed, paid for, or approved by Citi or any other credit card issuer. All opinions, reviews, and recommendations reflect the author’s honest opinions, beliefs, and experiences. We receive compensation from our advertisers. Compensation impacts how and where products appear on this site (including for example, the order in which they appear). Back to Top.

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FaceBook!

Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not professional financial advice. References to third party products, rates, and offers may change without notice. Please visit the referenced site for current information. We may receive compensation through affiliate or advertising relationships from products mentioned on this site. However, we do not accept compensation for positive reviews; all reviews on this site represent the opinions of the author. Privacy Policy.